Selling Your Gulf Coast Home This Year? Watch Out for These Hidden Costs

By Bryan David

Bryan David is one of the best REALTORS® serving Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport and the entire coast. He is a Biloxi native, military veteran and retiree, and a multi-year top-producing agent with hundreds of satisfied clients.

Selling a home often starts with quick math. Sellers estimate their payoff, subtract the mortgage, and picture what they will walk away with at closing. What many people do not calculate are the hidden costs that start accumulating the moment a home sits on the market. Those costs can turn what looks like a strong sale into a disappointing result.

I have seen this firsthand. One seller insisted on listing well above market value. The home was in great condition and relatively new, so we agreed to try it with a plan to adjust if activity slowed. Four months later, after very few showings, the home sold at the price originally recommended. The difference was the net. Nearly five thousand dollars in carrying costs per month added up to close to twenty thousand dollars in lost value while the home sat vacant.

Understanding these hidden costs is critical before choosing a pricing strategy. Let’s walk through the key expenses sellers often overlook and why they matter so much.

Carrying costs add up faster than most sellers expect. When a home is vacant, sellers are often paying for two places at once. Carrying costs go far beyond the mortgage payment. Utilities, HOA fees, insurance, security systems, lawn care, and ongoing cleaning all continue while the home is on the market. Insurance companies may even raise rates or cancel coverage when a property is vacant. Month after month, these expenses quietly reduce what you take home at closing.

Time on market changes buyer perception. When a home sits while similar properties sell, buyers begin to question why. Even if the price eventually looks reasonable, doubt creeps in. Buyers worry about condition issues or unseen problems and protect themselves by offering less or walking away entirely. Long days on the market often lead to lower offers, not higher ones. Pricing competitively from the start helps attract confident buyers and reduces this risk.

Maintenance and exposure create additional risk. Homes require maintenance whether they are lived in or not. On the Mississippi Gulf Coast, extended time on the market increases exposure to storms, humidity, and unexpected damage. Roof leaks, HVAC issues, broken windows, or storm-related repairs can quickly add up. The longer a home sits, the greater the chance that something will go wrong.

The common thread in all of this is time. Pricing correctly and selling efficiently helps protect your profit by minimizing carrying costs, buyer skepticism, and maintenance risks.

If you are considering selling, let me or one of my agents do the math for you. We will analyze the market, recommend a pricing strategy, and create a detailed net sheet so you understand what you are likely to walk away with. We will also help you decide whether holding out for a higher price is worth the added costs.

You can reach me at 228-215-1861, email bhgre@expectrealty.com, or visit https://www.expectrealty.com/ to set up a time to review your situation and create a clear plan. The goal is simple. Get you the most money in the shortest amount of time, with fewer surprises along the way.